bestfiction Chapter 308 Temporary Boy Soldiers
Chapter 308 Temporary Boy Soldiers
Where did they go? Qiao Jianer pondered, and then she remembered that she had asked Ada and the others to go to the school to listen to the teacher's lectures when they had nothing to do.
Then he drove the carriage back to the school.
Sure enough, I saw some of them either with their ears pressed against the wall or clinging to the window.
They hardly understand anything now and look confused, but their ignorant faces are filled with a desire for knowledge.
Qiao Jianer waved and asked them to come out.
They did not disturb the teacher and students, and tiptoed up to Qiao Jianer.
"Sister Kama'er, you're here."
"I have something for you to do. Get in the carriage."
When the children heard that there was work to do, they were very happy and got into the carriage.
Ada stuck his head out of the window and looked at Qiao Jianer who was driving the cart in front.
"Sister Jianer, what kind of work is this?"
Qiao Jianer said, "But you will know when the time comes. We will just follow the people in the camp to get things done."
"Are they the officers and soldiers?"
"Yes."
The children were all excited.
"Great! How impressive! Are we considered little soldiers then?"
Qiao Jianer thought for a moment and said, "You could think of it that way."
The children cheered.
Qiao Jianer was a little surprised that they were so happy. If they really liked it, it would not be a bad idea to follow their brothers after training for a few years.
"If you perform well, I'll put you all together and you'll be very useful in other areas."
"We definitely will. We will cherish this opportunity," the children promised.
With their enthusiasm, they will definitely be active in doing things, and Qiao Jianer feels more confident.
The carriage passed by the shop that was for rent. The sign was hanging there and a few people were standing there looking at it, hesitant.
This shop is in a central location and has a large area. The monthly price is 25 taels, which is also the market price.
"The shop is good, but who dares to do business now?"
"Yeah, if those people come back, the little money we've finally earned will be taken away, and we won't even be able to pay back the rent."
"Let's wait and see for a while, until those people leave the south."
They shook their heads and left with regret.
Qiao Jianer realized that even if she wanted to rent the house now, it would be difficult. However, she wrote the address on the signboard, and if anyone was really determined to rent it, they would naturally come to her.
I also bought a big bag of sugar cakes, melon seeds and nuts.
The children ate all the way and were very satisfied.
I got home just in time for dinner.
When Qiao Lianer went to the county town, he told his family that he wanted to bring a few children back, so the family scooped two more bowls of rice and added four more dishes.
Compared to the messy and dirty appearance of these children at the beginning, now they wash their hair and take baths frequently, have clothes to change, and have full meals every meal. Their faces are glowing and their mental outlook is different, just like normal children from ordinary families.
They had never eaten such a sumptuous meal before, but they did not eat it voraciously and were quite polite.
Old Mrs. Qiao saw this and felt a little more satisfied, but also a little distressed, so she put some food into their bowls.
"Thank you grandma."
"Grandma is so kind."
Old Mrs. Qiao smiled brightly: "Why are you being so polite to me, grandma? Eat more."
After dinner, Lu'er and Acang came with a child. The child was none other than the grandson of Mr. Zhang from the north of the village. His name was Suo'er and he was eight years old. At the beginning, Suo'er also informed the Qiao family.
Lu'er pulled Qiao Jian'er aside and said, "Sister Jian'er, Suo'er doesn't usually play with us, but after discussing it, we felt that he was the most honest and much better than the three friends who played with us. If you asked us to find someone for you, we would look for the most trustworthy one."
"Yes, we tried it. We secretly dropped things in front of Suo'er. Suo'er picked up the things and went door to door to ask who lost them." A Cang said.
"Those three companions haven't even passed this test. They just stuffed the things into their arms and ran away. Humph, how dishonest!"
Qiao Lianer smiled. The children were quite thoughtful.
Although for young children, their values have not yet been formed, stealing things or not returning things they find are common occurrences and cannot define their future.
But Suo'er has such a character at such a young age, and his family is so poor, which is good.
So she said, "Then lock it up."
She beckoned Suo'er over and said, "Suo'er, are you willing to help me with something? I'll give you some sugar cakes."
Suo'er opened her bright black eyes and nodded: "I don't want to go up the mountain to collect firewood or find pig food. I want to do something big."
When Achang and the others went to find him, they told him that they were going to do great things, and the ambition of the young boy was inspired.
Qiao Jianer smiled and stuffed a handful of candy into his mouth.
"Brother Dayong, Brother Dacheng, Brother Dameng, I leave the children to you."
The collection starts today and we are going to a place forty miles away from here, so we have to train the children tonight.
The children were chubby and smart, and the three Qiao brothers liked them very much.
Dayong arranged the children into two rows, five in each row.
He faced the young men and spoke with authority.
"You are my temporary team of young soldiers. If you perform well, you will definitely benefit from it in the future, so you must be fully spirited and presentable."
"What you need to do is each follow a team of fifteen soldiers to see if they strictly follow the fifty percent rule when collecting taxes. Anyone who takes more than a little from the people's homes must report it."
Xiao Meng said to Qiao Jianer, "Jianer, these kids following you are very useful. Otherwise, I don't know where to find these trustworthy and smart people to send them."
Qiao Jianer had never thought that the children could be of such use.
The three brothers also taught the children how to identify the soldiers' code words and suggestive gestures when asking for bribes, and then trained them thoroughly.
The children are very serious and smart and can make a judgment quickly.
Because they had to leave early the next morning and there were no spare beds at home, the three brothers took their children to the camp.
"Brother, you have to tell the soldiers that if anything happens to the children, they will be held accountable and will not be let off easily." Qiao Jianer reminded him.
"Okay, I know what to do." Dayong nodded.
In one hand, he was holding half a bag of sugar prepared by Qiao Lianer.
"Amitabha, I hope everything goes well." Old Mrs. Qiao clasped her hands together.
Today I sold 125 taels of film. Together with what Qiao Jianer has, I have 610 taels now. Together with what I saved before, I now have 1,035 taels.
Qiao Jianer asked Xiao Meng to guard the door and hid the money in the rockery.
She has no shortage of money, and will earn more and more. Now she wants to earn better and more useful things for herself and her family.
The next day was the market in Qingshui Town.
Qiao Yunni and her brother Qiao Laosan went to the market.
Old Mrs. Qiao put the silver bracelet and gold earrings on Qiao Yunni and said, "Those people have gone far away. Don't be afraid. Wear these to show your happiness."
Qiao Yunni did not refuse.
However, when they were halfway there, they met Song Laosan's men.
Song Laosan brought a group of people, obviously going to collect taxes, driving a horse-drawn carriage and pushing a cart.
He saw Qiao Yunni, with a pretty face, wearing gold and silver jewelry, and living a very comfortable life.
I don’t know which man gave it to me, but there was a hint of gloom in Song Laosan’s eyes.